[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 72 (Friday, April 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 19164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9242]



[[Page 19164]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[ER-FRL-6617-2]


Environmental Impact Statements and Regulations; Availability of 
EPA Comments

    Availability of EPA comments prepared pursuant to the Environmental 
Review Process (ERP), under Section 309 of the Clean Air Act and 
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act as amended. 
Requests for copies of EPA comments can be directed to the Office of 
Federal Activities at (202) 564-7167. An explanation of the ratings 
assigned to draft environmental impact statements (EISs) was published 
in FR dated April 14, 2000 (65 FR 20157).

Draft EISs

ERP No. D-AFS-L65375-00 Rating EC2, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation 
Area (LPSRA) Expansion Project, Implementation, Amendment to the 
Existing Special Use Permit, NPDES Permit and COE Section 404 Permit, 
Idaho Panhandles National Forests, Coeur d'Alene River Range District, 
ID and MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns over the lack of 
mitigation for aquatic habitat impacts; consistency with TMDL 
development for 303(d) listed waters; and the indirect effects to off 
site land uses.
ERP No. D-IBR-L65374-WA Rating EC2, Potholes Reservoir Resource 
Management Plan, Implementation, COE Section 404 and NPDES Permits, 
Moses Lake, Grant County, WA.
    Summary: EPA expressed concerns regarding the loss of shrub-steppe 
and water quality. EPA requested that the Bureau of Reclamation 
estimate the direct, indirect and cumulative effects on shrub-steppe 
from project implementation, and contact the state Ecology Department 
for information on load limits for the Potholes Reservoir and East 
Potholes Canal.
ERP No. D-NPS-K65229-CA Rating EC2, Santa Cruz Island Primary 
Restoration Plan, Implementation, Channel Islands National Park, Santa 
Cruz Island, Santa Barbara County, CA.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns with the adequacy of 
the proposed mitigation measures concerning soil erosion and noxious 
weeds and from potential impacts to air and water quality from aerially 
applied herbicides. While EPA agrees with the need for the project EPA 
favors the selection of Alternative 2 which appears more cost effective 
and efficient in the long term.

Final EISs

ERP No. F-AFS-J65316-MT Clearwater Ecosystem Management and Timber Sale 
Project, Timber Harvesting, Burning, Weed Spraying and Road Management, 
Lola National Forest, Seeley Lake Ranger District, Missoula County, MT.
    Summary: EPA expressed environmental concerns regarding short-term 
increases in sediments levels from temporary road construction and 
reconstruction, road obliteration and timber harvest. EPA supports the 
long term objectives of the proposed project which will reduce road 
densities; protect the grizzly bear; reduce sources of sediment to 
protect water quality and bull trout habitat; improve forest health and 
reduce risk of insect infestation and wildfire; improve wildlife 
habitat; treat noxious weeds; and enhance scenic views.
ERP No. F-AFS-L65346-OR Triangle Land Exchange Project, Between 
Clearwater Land Exchange Oregon (Clearwater) an Oregon Partnership, 
Implementation, Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests, 
Baker, Grant, Harney and Wallowa Counties, OR.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-BLM-K61148-NV Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area 
(RRCNCA), General Management Plan (GMP), Amendment to the Las Vegas 
Resource Management Plan, Las Vegas, NV.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-DOE-K22004-CA National Ignition Facility Project Specific 
Analysis, Construction and Operation at the Lawrence Livermore National 
Laboratory, Livermore, CA.
    Summary: EPA noted that the FSEIS satisfactorily responds to EPA 
comments on the DSEIS.
ERP No. F-FHW-G40152-LA North-South Expressway Const. I-220 in 
Shreveport, LA to the Arkansas State Line, Funding and COE Section 404 
Permit Issuance, Caddo Parish, LA.
    Summary: The Final EIS adequately responded to comments offered on 
the DEIS. EPA has no objection to the section of the preferred 
alternative. EPA has no further comments to offer.
ERP No. F-NPS-J65319-UT Zion National Park, General Management Plan, 
Implementation, Washington, Iron and Kane Counties, UT.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.

ERP No. F-NPS-K65221-AZ Chiricahua National Monument, General 
Management Plan, To Protect Certain National Formations, Known as ``The 
Pinnacles,'' AZ.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-NPS-K65222-AZ Fort Bowie National Historic Site General 
Management Plan, Implementation, Cochise County, AZ.
    Summary: No formal comment letter was sent to the preparing agency.
ERP No. F-TVA-E06020-MS Kemper County Combustion Turbine Plant, 
Construction and Operation, Addition of Electric General Peaking 
Capacity at Greenfield Sites, NPDES Permit, Kemper County, MS.
    Summary: Although overall impacts do not appear to be major, EPA 
has some concerns with the proposed new peaking power facility. These 
include air quality and compensation for the proposed conversion of 
forested wetlands. EPA also suggest that substantive issues be included 
in the TVA ROD. EPA will continue to review this project through the 
State of Mississippi's PSD process.
ERP No. F-TVA-E39053-TN Future Water Supply Needs in the Upper Duck 
River Basin, NPDES Permit and COE Section 404 Permit, Bedford, 
Marshall, Maury and Williamson Counties, TN.

    Summary: EPA notes that no preferred alternative was identified in 
the FEIS and believes that the No-Action Alternative should be 
continued with water conservation measures implemented before any 
additional source water action alternative is initiated when water 
shortfalls become acute. EPA prefers action alternatives C and E, and 
has environmental objections to alternatives B and D, as proposed.

    Dated: April 10, 2001.
Joseph C. Montgomery,
Director, NEPA Compliance Division, Office of Federal Activities.
[FR Doc. 01-9242 Filed 4-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P